Clarinna nodded. "Agreed. Come on, I'll help you to search for Diggs."
Late afternoon shadows were lengthening when the Abbess went to the orchard. Friar Soogum was there, supervising the feast preparations.
"Mother Abbess, d'you think this'll do?"
Marjoram clapped her paws in delight. "Oh, Friar, it's perfect. What a feast this will be!"
The table linen was spread upon the orchard grass, with
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pretty blossom arrangements decking the fruit trees. Lanterns hung, ready to be lit by evening. Casks of strawberry fizz, October Ale, dandelion and burdock cordial and jugs of mint tea or pennycloud brew were placed in the tree shade. Scones, tarts, pies and pasties were there in abundance, alongside trifles, broths, oven-baked breads and delicate almond wafers. The entire effect was magical or, to quote the Abbess, "the setting for an evening's delicious enchantment!" And it really was just that.
Glowing from their day's chores and tasks, everybeast trooped into the orchard. Early evening twilight was enhanced by lighted lanterns of pink, gold, blue and green, circled by fluttering moths of varied hue. Over excited Dibbuns were issued with beakers of strawberry fizz and warned to keep a modicum of silence whilst the Abbess said grace.
Decked out in her best pale-fawn habit, belted with a spotless white cord and sporting a small circlet of woodland flowers round her brow, Marjoram recited the special words, penned earlier that day by her friend Granvy.
"We meet in happiness this day, to celebrate our victory, not to boast of fighting ways, but just the joy of living free.
Oh, may that feeling never cease, for you, my true and honest friends, enjoy this feast, in love and peace, and hope our freedom never ends!"
A tiny squirrelbabe held up his beaker. "I drink to dat!"
Laughter echoed round the orchard as they fell to in earnest. Skipper blew on a bowl of his favourite freshwater shrimp 'n'hotroot soup, winking at Buckler. "D'ye think all this scoff might tempt ole Diggs out from wherever he's stowed hisself?"
The young hare picked up a slice of greengage tart.
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"Well, if he doesn't, I'll wager he's at least three leagues away, the great lard barrel!"
Clarinna passed a long cheese'n'hazelnut roll to Ambrevina. "It was kind of you to say you'd accompany Buckler and me tomorrow. Thank you so much!"
The badgermaid accepted the offering with a nod. "I've seen your babes, marm, Calla and Urfa. Two charming little creatures. I can see why you wish dearly to be reunited with them. My pleasure!"
Baby Dubdub sprayed crumbs about as he spoke through a mouthful of honeyed scone. "My pleasure! My pleasure!"
Oakheart beamed over the rim of his October Ale tankard. "The babe's learnin', Dymphnia. Did y'hear that? A real actor in the makin', a true Witherspyk!"
His wife brushed crumbs from her apron, then wiped Dubdub's face with a corner of it. "Indeed, Oakie. I just wish he wouldn't practice his lines at mealtimes."
Jango speared a hunk of cheese with his blade. "I'll come along with ye on the morrow, Buck, just for a walk, chance to stretch me paws, eh!"
Flib was over her war shock now. She winked at Jango. "An' I'll toddle along with ya, Pa, t'make sure ye don't get into any trouble!"
Axtel had joined the molecrew in seeing off a huge cauldron of the mole's speciality, deeper'n'ever'turnip'-n'tater'n'beetroot pie. He held up a piece in his paw. "Oi'll goo with ee, zurr'n'marms. Thurr may bee's vurmints a-lurkin' in ee wuddlands. Oi'll give 'em ole billy oh!"
Marjoram put on a face of mock despair, managing a wail. "If any other beast volunteers to go, there'll only be me left behind here!"
Friar Soogum poured a tiny crystal goblet of elderberry wine. "Here, marm, drink this--you'll feel better. Don't fret, marm. I'll stay here with ye. I'll make a special liddle supper, just for me'n'you. We'll sit up in the belltower an' share it. Oh, an' more o' this fine wine, eh!"
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Trajidia Witherspyk fluttered her eyelashes at the Friar. "I never said I was deserting this beautiful Abbey. Will you find room for a young un like me at your table, oh, kind and handsome Friar, sir?"
All those who heard Soogum mention the special supper suddenly expressed a fervent desire to remain at Redwall.
"Er, me, too, please, could I come?"
"Hurr, an' oi h'also. Oi carn't walk too furr wi' moi paws!"
"An' can I bring a few of the Dibbuns? They'd enjoy a treat, bless their liddle paws!"
'I'd like t'come, too, but only t'keep an eye on the babes!"
Marjoram waved her paws, miming alarm. "Stop, stop. We'll never get you all into one bell tower!"
In the softly lit orchard, the sound of woodlanders laughing drifted up to the starry night sky which had now cloaked Mossflower.
It was high noon of the following day. The sun hung like a burnished gold medallion in the cloudless sky. Abbess Marjoram was on the path outside the newly cleared west gate. Other Redwallers were with her to wish a hearty goodbye to the travelling party. Friar Soogum and his kitchen helpers fussed around the group, passing out haversacks of food and drink.
The good Friar's constant worry in life was that anybeast would not have enough to eat. He pressed a further package upon an already overloaded Clarinna. "Just some dainties, candied chestnuts an' crystallised fruits, for your little uns, marm. Oh, an' I slipped in two small flasks of best pear cider--babes always like that."
The Abbess was forced to intercede on behalf of those leaving the Abbey. "Friar, you've provisioned them handsomely, but that's quite enough now. Any more and they won't be able to move. Buckler, are you ready to go?"
Adjusting the shoulder straps of a huge haversack,
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the young hare managed a quick salute. "Ready marm! Ambry Axtel, Jango, let's march!"
With Buckler and Clarinna following Ambrevina, and an escort of twenty Guosim backed up by Jango, Axtel and Flib, the column moved out, going south down the path. The remaining Redwallers cheered them on their journey.
Skipper shouted out, "Come on, Buck, mate, get 'em goin' with one o' yore Long Patrol marchin' songs!"
Buckler promptly obliged with an old parade-ground air, which could be speeded up or slowed down to accommodate the marchers. They soon picked up the rhythm, as it was not a difficult song.
"Y'place yore left footpaw in front o' yore right footpaw, then y'do it over'n over'n over again!
Remember, left right, left right, chin up high an' eyes bright, don't fret about the sun, the wind or rain.
Keep those ranks good an' straight, don't tread on yore matey's paws, or he might just turn around, kick yore tail an' tread on yores!
So place yore left footpaw, in front o' yore right footpaw, then do it over'n over'n over again!
Remember, left right, left right, never argue, never fight, keep goin' 'til you think you've gone insane!"
Axtel wound a spotted kerchief around his mouth.
"H'it bee's ruther dusty marchin' at ee back!"
Once they were out of sight from the Abbey, Ambrevina turned off into the woodland. Buckler shepherded them across the ditch, patting backs and mouthing words of encouragement.
"Well done, mates, a nice little walk so far, eh?"
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Unused to his parade-ground pace, they were all quite breathless. Flib was heard to mutter, "Huh, a nice liddle walk fer you, y'great lankypaws!"
Buckler glared at the shrewmaid. "What was that, miss?"
Axtel, who had grown rather fond of Flib, placed a heavy digging claw on her shoulder. "She'm just sayin', zurr, that moi ole h'injured paw b'aint wurkin' vury gudd."
Buckler's attitude changed instantly. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, friend. Right, we'll rest an' take a spot o' lunch in the woodlands. Pass the word along, Jango."
It was pleasant, being off the dusty open path on such a hot summer's day. The wood of Mossflower provided lots of cool, green shade. Buckler chose a spot beneath an old crack willow on a tiny streambank. Everybeast sat with their footpaws in the muddy shallows as Clarinna distributed food.